I recently traveled to Blue Springs, Mo., to visit with the folks at Fike Corp., supplier of products and services that protect people and critical assets from dangers such as fire, explosion and over-pressurization.

Pharmaceuticals have their own unique technology and pricing positions compared with the other chemical products. Can we introduce innovative development and manufacturing technologies for the pharmaceuticals sector? The answer in unequivocal ‘yes!’ We just need to understand the roadblocks and overcome them. "

Chemical Processing reader Gerry McDonald, a retired petrochemical engineer, sent us an article on carbon dioxide. Gerry granted permission to post his entire article as submitted. The article appears below:

I regularly monitor chemical accidents in the news. It's a way to help me understand the dangers that Chemical Processing readers face on a daily basis. Manufacturing can be a dangerous profession. Add chemicals to the mix and the potential hazards grow exponentially.

I like conspiracy theories. I don't consider myself a theorist, but I do love reading about what others see in the clouds.

Picking a winner for the latest cartoon caption contest was a challenge. So many great entries landed in my e-mail box that each of the judges had their own set of favorites. Ultimately, we did decide on a winning entry.

Chemical Engineers during their training are taught that they will commercialize and/or operate a process that will produce consistent quality product all the time (without re-work) using a safe, sustainable and an economic process.

Climate change is a new challenge and a major discussion point between the developed and the developing countries. Some sort of emission limits will be placed as we move forward. There is lot of posturing and both sides are making point and counterpoint.

While Twittering, I found an interesting post on the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Web site. It's a list of 10 Principles for Modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

I fondly remember an episode of the television show Happy Days where Fonzie was giving Richie one of his pearls of wisdom. The Fonz told him, "Cunningham, you have to toot your own horn or nobody will know you're here."